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A few tips on the differential and transfer case service
Just did my differential and transfer case fluid change at 110k miles, thanks @Acrad and participants for all the info! It may be useful to update the OP, with the fill/drain plugs torque and may be fluid alternatives to minimize time fishing the info through the thread. Here are some tips that may help:
If you have an oil extractor pump, you will only need to remove the fill plug. I used mine an it was nice and easy and contained all the fluid in the pump.
To fill the differentials/T.case: I used a hand pump which was ok but I had to pump a lot. I will invest in a transfer pump for next time, which I can also use for transmission fluid change.
Front differential: you do not need to remove any skid plate if you have the pump. There is enough space to access the fill plug to remove it and to fill the fluid.
Transfer Case: good time to inspect any leaks. Mine had a slight leak seemingly coming from the front seal.
Fluids for front and rear differentials: I used Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W90 for front and rear differential, many users report this on several Toyota forums without and problems.
Fluids for Transfer case: I used Red Line Synthetic 75W MTF, now labeled with the same part number as the Toyota 75W fluid.
Crush washers: Purchased a kit from Amazon for $7.99
Last edited by chrisca70; Sep 24, 2021 at 11:55 AM.
Ended up being $36.90 in US dollars to get this part including the $0.37 international service fee for using Visa. See how quickly it gets here now...
Holy smokes, still waiting. Took almost 6 weeks to leave Australia. Not sure what happened... the vender helped out and it finally got moving so hopefully it will be here soon. Not sure if it was a fluke, but if you're going to use this, make sure you order well in advance!
Crazy shipping times from both sides of the spectrum... totally not related but wife wanted this Monkee Tree cat tower for our British shorthairs... anyway... 5 days from order to delivery from New Zealand to WA state via DHL last week.
Lexus sells a drain plug with a nut/hex on it. Its from the IS350 AWD I believe and is a direct replacement. I put it on mine after my stock plug stripped out. I am pretty sure its like $5.
Holy smokes, still waiting. Took almost 6 weeks to leave Australia. Not sure what happened... the vender helped out and it finally got moving so hopefully it will be here soon. Not sure if it was a fluke, but if you're going to use this, make sure you order well in advance!
most likely a fluke, my order from kaon took two weeks to get here.
Just ordered this plug. I'm at 79k miles now and plan to change the diff again at 100k.
Originally Posted by skrypj
Lexus sells a drain plug with a nut/hex on it. Its from the IS350 AWD I believe and is a direct replacement. I put it on mine after my stock plug stripped out. I am pretty sure its like $5.
I changed my transfer case fluid again. Last time was back in mid 2017 and about 35k miles ago.
My original fluid was fairly clear... this change it was noticeably darker at around the same mileage.
The original owner never towed or took off-road so that may play a role in it. I had to drop my rear Budbuilt skid over transfer case but not a big deal with a floor jack to help support it.
I changed my transfer case fluid again. Last time was back in mid 2017 and about 35k miles ago.
My original fluid was fairly clear... this change it was noticeably darker at around the same mileage.
The original owner never towed or took off-road so that may play a role in it. I had to drop my rear Budbuilt skid over transfer case but not a big deal with a floor jack to help support it.
I did give it the golden fluid as someone is bound to ask. :-)
What fluid did you drain out? More Unicorn juice or the Ravenol?
